Rogers' Rules of Ranging (1757)

Major Robert Rogers was one of America's great military commanders.
Fighting in the French and Indian War with his celebrated "Rogers' Rangers,"
he revolutioned warfare with his use of green uniforms (a forerunner to
today's camouflaged clothing), adapted Indian tactics and "Rules of
Ranging." His St. Francis Raid is recounted in the first half of Kenneth
Roberts' book Northwest Passage.

The value of these rules was proven by Rogers and later by Lt. Colonel
William Darby when he issued these rules verbatim to the First United States
Ranger Battalion in World War II. The Rangers still use these rules today.

1. All Rangers are subject to the rules of war.

2. In a small group, march in single file with enough space between so that
one shot can't pass through one man and kill a second.

4. Before reaching your destination, send one or two men forward to scout
the area and avoid traps.

5. If prisoners are taken, keep them separate and question them
individually.

6. Marching in groups of three or four hundred should be done in three
separate columns, within support distance, with a point and rear guard.

7. When attacked, fall or squat down to receive fire and rise to deliver. Keep
your flanks as strong as the enemy's flanking force, and if retreat is necessary,
maintain the retreat fire drill.

8. When chasing an enemy, keep your flanks strong, and prevent them from
gaining high ground where they could turn and fight.

9. When retreating, the rank facing the enemy must fire and retreat through
the second rank, thus causing the enemy to advance into constant fire.

10. If the enemy is far superior, the whole squad must disperse and meet
again at a designated location. This scatters the pursuit and allows for
organized resistance.

11. If attacked from the rear, the ranks reverse order, so the rear rank now
becomes the front. If attacked from the flank, the opposite flank now serves as
the rear rank.

12. If a rally is used after a retreat, make it on the high ground to slow the
enemy advance.

13. When laying in ambuscade, wait for the enemy to get close enough that
your fire will be doubly frightening, and after firing, the enemy can be rushed
with hatchets.

14. At a campsite, the sentries should be posted at a
distance to protect the camp without revealing its location. Each sentry will
consist of 6 men with two constantly awake at a time.

15. The entire detachment should be awake before dawn each morning as this is the usual time of enemy attack.

16. Upon discovering a superior enemy in the morning, you should wait
until dark to attack, thus hiding your lack of numbers and using the night to
aid your retreat.

17. Before leaving a camp, send out small parties to see if you have been
observed during the night.

18. When stopping for water, place proper guards around the spot making
sure the pathway you used is covered to avoid
surprise from a following party.

19. Avoid using regular river fords as these are often watched by the enemy.

20. Avoid passing lakes too close to the edge, as the enemy could trap you
against the water's edge.

21. If an enemy is following your rear, circle back and attack him along the
same path.

22. When returning from a scout, use a different path as the enemy may
have seen you leave and will wait for your return to attack when you're tired.

23. When following an enemy force, try not to use their path, but rather plan
to cut them off and ambush them at a narrow place or when they least expect
it.

24. When traveling by water, leave at night to avoid
detection.

25. In rowing in a chain of boats, the one in front should keep contact with
the one directly astern of it. This way they can help each other and the boats
will not become lost in the night.

26. One man in each boat will be assigned to watch the shore for fires or
movement.

27. If you are preparing an ambuscade near a river or lake, leave a force on
the opposite side of the water so the enemy's flight will lead them into your
detachment.

28. When locating an enemy party of undetermined strength, send out a
small scouting party to watch them. It may take all day to decide on your
attack or withdrawal, so signs and
countersigns should be established to determine your friends in the dark.

29. If you are attacked in rough or flat ground, it is best to scatter as if in
rout. At a pre-picked place you can turn, allowing the enemy to close. Fire
closely, then counterattack with hatchets. Flankers could then attack the
enemy and rout him in return.